SARUM College Bookshop in Salisbury has been shortlisted for an award.

The British Book Awards revealed its regional shortlists for the 2020 Independent Bookshop of the Year last week. A record 49 bookshops from nine regions are competing to be named the country’s best indie retailer for books, including the Salisbury bookshop which is located in The Close.

The shops will compete to win their regional category before vying for the overall prize, to be given out at the British Book Awards ceremony, at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on May 18.

The manager of Sarum College Bookshop, Emily Button, who described the awards as the “Baftas of the book world”, said: “We are absolutely thrilled and really excited that we are recognised. It is a really strong shortlist.”

“It just shows there is a real need and desire for independent bookshops on the high street. The number of independent bookshops are growing year on year.”

She welcomed the latest addition to Salisbury with the opening last week of the Rocketship Bookshop in Bridge Street.

“It is really exciting to see what 2020 brings for us and Salisbury,” added Emily.

The bookshop has a dedicated team of volunteers who support staff.

“We were so chuffed to get through the first round. If we get to the next round. It would be such a bonus even if we don’t win,” said Emily.

“It is really good for morale for the team. We know what we are doing is being recognised by the book industry.”

Tom Tivnan, of The Bookseller magazine, who run the awards, said: “There has been a resurgence in the last few years for the indie books sector with a growing number of stores and an increased market share. You can see why people are looking more towards indies by the brilliant shops on our regional shortlists. The High Street in general may be struggling but indie bookshops are thriving in this challenging environment because of the expertise of staff – which can beat an Amazon algorithm any day — but also that they are true hubs of their communities.”

Sarum College Bookshop is up against seven other bookshops in the South West regional category.

The winners of each region will be announced on March 20 with those nine shops then battling for the top prize. The overall winner will receive £5,000 to be put towards the running of the shop.